AT&T Wireless (NYSE: AWE) today selected American Tower Corporation
(NYSE: AMT) and Fluor Global Services (NYSE: FLR) to support the
national roll out of the company's fixed wireless digital broadband
technology to millions of homes by the end of this year.
AT&T Wireless currently uses Fluor Global Services to install and
maintain customer premise equipment in the Dallas and Fort Worth markets
where more than 2,500 residential customers already enjoy AT&T Digital
Broadband service. The companies signed a three-year agreement with a
potential value of some $300 million to provide similar services in many
of the new markets.
AT&T Wireless and American Tower Corporation have entered into a two
year agreement under which American Tower will be responsible for
turnkey services, including cell-siting, radio frequency engineering,
zoning, construction, installation and components for the base stations
required to provide service into homes. The agreement currently covers
the deployment of between 1,500 and 2,300 base stations in multiple
markets over the next two years. The agreement has a potential value of
$325 million.
"These agreements, and others soon to be announced, will support our
goal of potentially providing service to nearly 15 million homes in the
United States," said Michael Keith, president and CEO of AT&T's fixed
wireless division. "We'll soon be offering our break-through fixed
wireless technology and services to consumers and small businesses
around the country. Cutting the cord means people won't have to wait in
'line' to go online, especially if they want high-speed access to the
Internet."
Keith said AT&T Wireless is negotiating outsourcing agreements with
other companies to provide similar services in some markets.
AT&T Digital Broadband service provides voice and high-speed data
services up to 12 times faster than traditional modems directly to
consumers homes over a wireless "local loop." The service allows
customers to have up to four phone lines with a variety of features and
gives them the opportunity to set up a Local Area Network in their home
capable of allowing five computers to simultaneously go online.
Customers selecting service in the Dallas/Fort Worth area typically pay
less than comparable services from their former local service provider.
By the end of this year, AT&T Wireless plans to expand AT&T Digital
Broadband service to pass some 1.5 million homes in eight markets,
including Houston, Los Angeles, Anchorage and San Diego. The company
said it expects to pass nearly 15 million homes in over 40 markets by
the end of 2002.
ABOUT AT&T WIRELESS
AT&T Wireless Group operates one of the largest digital wireless
networks in North America. With more than 12.5 million total
subscribers, AT&T Wireless is committed to being the premier provider of
high-quality wireless communications services, whether mobile or fixed,
voice or data, to businesses or consumers, in the United States and
internationally.
ABOUT AMERICAN TOWER
American Tower is the leading independent owner operator and developer
of broadcast and wireless communications sites in North America. Giving
effect to pending transactions, American Tower operates approximately
10,000 sites in the United States, Mexico and Canada, including
approximately 300 broadcast tower sites. Of the 10,000 sites,
approximately 8,700 are owned or leased towers and approximately 1,300
are managed and lease/sublease sites. Based in Boston, American Tower
has regional hub offices in Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, San
Francisco and Mexico City. For more information about American Tower
Corporation and ATC Teleports, please visit our web sites http://www.americantower.com
and http://www.atcteleports.com.
ABOUT FLUOR GLOBAL SERVICES
A Fluor Corporation enterprise, Fluor Global Services is a leading
full-service provider of customized business services and industrial
solutions in telecommunications, operations and maintenance, program and
assets management, construction and industrial equipment, contract and
direct-hire personnel, and for the U.S. Government. With 1999 revenues
of $12.4 billion, Fluor Corporation provides services on a global basis
in the fields of engineering, procurement, construction, maintenance,
and operations, consulting and coal production. The firm is
headquartered in Aliso Viejo, California. For more information on Fluor
and Fluor Global Services, please visit our web site at http://www.fluor.com.
Ritch Blasi of AT&T, 908-221-3790, or wireless, 908-612-1760, or home, 732-469-6801